WE live in an archipelago but not even distances between islands can stop the spread of threats to peace and order.
This is why rumors about bombing plots at malls and airports spread easily as people know such incidents can happen indeed. What happened in Davao City in Mindanao last Friday night could be repeated in major cities in Luzon and the Visayas. Will Manila or Cebu be next?
The messages on social media started appearing Sunday with slightly varying messages for those in Manila and in Cebu. The message read-- “Attn: This was confirmed by Gen. Bato's (Police Director General Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa) staff--Hello everyone in Manila, please stay clear off malls for the time being. We received intelligence of 4 women from Basilan plotting to do suicide bombings in malls in Manila. All malls are on high alert. Thank you. –
Pls pass by personal message only. Not posting on your wall for our security. Thanks. Please take this serious, from Red Cross Philippines.”
The message that spread in Cebu Monday was similar to the one intended for Manila residents, complete with wrong grammar and typo errors. Among the changes--the place “Manila” was made to “Cebu” and the message ended not with an attribution to the Red Cross but with– “(this msg is a 1st hand info from the sister of someone working sa PSG ni DU30 – she is a doctor).”
Such warnings can cause unnecessary fear in these cities’ residents and many would heed it because they don’t want to get caught in the wrong place at the wrong time.
By Monday late afternoon, the Cebu police issued a call for people not to panic and not to believe such a plot.
The public should stop sharing the social media messages and should instead remain vigilant when in public places.
Cebu City Director Joel Doria said no report of any presence of extremists or rebel groups had been received.
People inside malls should not be suspicious of groups of four women together as the police statement debunks the claim. Who were behind the malicious warning could be people who wanted to take advantage of sentiments following the Friday night explosion at the night market on Roxas Ave. in Davao City. A total of 14 people died in the blast and dozens more suffered shrapnel wounds.
With the Davao incident just days ago and tension remaining high, police should issue immediate denials when rumors spread on social networks to stop the wrong information from causing more panic. Immediate government response is crucial in unusual times.
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Sun.Star Davao published an article Monday, Sept. 5, on the stories behind the 14 lives lost in the Davao explosion. It told of how the number who died was not just a number but about a policeman, a couple, young people who were at the night market for a relaxing evening.
Sun.Star Davao columnist Daf Padilla used social networks to get information about the fatalities. Friends and relatives of those who died provided her with information about who they were and why they were at the site before the explosion.
SPO1 Jay Adremesin wanted a massage. So did Christian Denver Reyes, 36, and wife, Joanna. Adremesin and Reyes died, Joanna survived with some wounds.
Melanie Faith Larida was a teacher, and her husband, Dennis, a pastor. They were with their only son, Deniel Josh, the night of the explosion. She and her son died while her husband was in a critical condition.
They are among those who died that night. Read the article (www.sunstar.com.ph) to know more about them.
(ninicab@sunstar.com.ph)